A plant-based pregnancy diet takes planning

Tuesday

Jul 11, 2017 at 2:01 AM

Q: Is it possible to have a healthy vegetarian or vegan pregnancy?

A: “The short answer is yes, absolutely,” said Dr. Shannon M. Clark, a spokeswoman for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “You can still get all the nutrients you need, but you can’t be cavalier.”

A 2015 review of 22 observational studies on vegan and vegetarian pregnancies discovered no increase in major birth defects or other serious problems in offspring or mothers. The review, in BJOG, included only healthy women. The authors said more research is needed to determine whether expecting women who have certain health conditions can safely continue a plant-based diet.

In its position paper on vegetarian diets, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said a plant-based diet is healthful and nutritionally adequate for pregnant women, as long as there’s appropriate planning, since pregnant women who don’t eat meat may be at risk for deficiencies in certain nutrients.

Iron is crucial because women build up blood volume during pregnancy, and deficiencies can lead to anemia, which “increases the risk of having a low birthweight baby, and increases the risk of preterm labor and delivery,” explained Clark.

So during pregnancy, vegetarians and vegans should take special care to eat plenty of iron-rich foods, like dried beans and peas and fortified cereals. Prune juice is also high in iron.

B vitamins, including vitamin B12 and folic acid, are also critical in pregnancy.